Disposable paper container

ABSTRACT

A disposable paper container comprises a bottom part and a side part erectly extending from the bottom part, and together with the bottom part, forming a space for accommodating or storing an object. The side part includes a first sub-side part, a second sub-side part, a third sub-side part facing the first sub-side part, a fourth sub-side part facing the second sub-side part, a first connecting sub-side part connecting the first sub-side part with the second sub-side part, a second connecting sub-side part connecting the second sub-side part with the third sub-side part, a third connecting sub-side part connecting the third sub-side part with the fourth sub-side part, and a fourth connecting sub-side part connecting the fourth sub-side part with the first sub-side part, wherein the bottom part and the side part are formed of a piece of paper.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0160520, filed on Nov. 16, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure concern disposable food packaging, and more specifically, to disposable paper containers that are easily folded or unfolded for convenient use in various events required to feed a good number of people.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Disposable food packaging comprises disposable items often found in fast food restaurants, takeout restaurants and kiosks, and catering establishments. Food serving items for picnics and parties is very similar. Typical disposable food service products are plates, bowls, cups, utensils, doilies and tray papers. These products can be made from a number of materials including plastics, paper, bio-resins and bamboo.

Conventional types of packaging of fast food and take-out tout am necessary for the customer but involves a significant amount of material that ends up in landfill, recycling, composting, or litter.

Conventional disposable food containers, as manufactured of plastics or other harmful chemicals, cause significant environmental concerns. To address such environmental issues, paper-based food packages have been introduced. However, such conventional paper containers have a fixed shape or volume and fail to respond to various customer needs.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a disposable paper container comprises a bottom part and a side part erectly extending from the bottom part, and together with the bottom part, forming a space for accommodating or storing an object, the side part including a first sub-side part, a second sub-side part, a third sub-side part facing the first sub-side part, a fourth sub-side part facing the second sub-side part, a first connecting sub-side part connecting the first sub-side part with the second sub-side part, a second connecting sub-side part connecting the second sub-side part with the third sub-side part, a third connecting sub-side part connecting the third sub-side part with the fourth sub-side part, and a fourth connecting sub-side part connecting the fourth sub-side part with the first sub-side part, wherein the bottom part and the side part are formed of a piece of paper, and wherein two opposite parts of the piece of paper extending from the bottom part are folded and then unfolded away from each other to form the side part.

The disposable paper container may further comprise flaps extending from the side part in a direction substantially parallel with the bottom part.

The flaps, respectively, may be formed at the two opposite parts in a direction substantially perpendicular to the two opposite parts.

The two opposite parts of the piece of paper may be folded towards each other with respect to the bottom part, two opposite corners of each of the folded, two opposite parts may be folded towards the bottom part, the two folded parts may then be folded away from the bottom part to cover the folded corners, and the folded parts may then be pulled in directions away from each other, thereby allowing the side part to erect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of the attendant aspects thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a disposable paper container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view illustrating a disposable paper container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are views illustrating a process for forming a disposable paper container as shown in FIG. 1 using a piece of paper cut into a shape as shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a disposable paper container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is an exploded, perspective view illustrating a disposable paper container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 are views illustrating a process for forming a disposable paper container as shown in FIG. 11 using a piece of paper cut into a shape as shown in FIG. 12, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference denotations may be used to refer to the same or similar elements throughout the specification and the drawings. The inventive concept, however, may be modified in various different ways, and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “adjacent to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected, coupled, or adjacent to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present.

As used herein, the term “paper container” may mean various types of disposable containers formed of paper, including, but not limited to, paper dishes, plates, bowls, or cups.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a disposable paper container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the disposable paper container 100 includes a bottom part 110 and a side part 120. The side part 120 may extend from the bottom part 110 and remain in an erect position.

The side part 120 includes a first sub-side part 120 a, a second sub-side part 120 b, a third sub-side part 120 c, and a fourth sub-side part 120 d. The first sub-side part 120 a may face the third sub-side part 120 c, and the second sub-side part 120 b may face the fourth sub-side part 120 d.

The side part 120 may further include a first connecting sub-side part 120 e, a second connecting sub-side part 120 f, a third connecting sub-side part 120 g, and a fourth connecting sub-side part 120 h that connect together the first sub-side part 120 a, the second sub-side part 120 b, the third sub-side part 120 c, and the fourth sub-side part 120 d.

The first connecting sub-side part 120 e connects the first sub-side part 120 a with the second sub-side part 120 b. The second connecting sub-side part 120 f connects the second sub-side part 120 b with the third sub-side part 120 c. The third connecting sub-side part 120 g connects the third sub-side part 120 c with the fourth sub-side part 120 d. The fourth connecting sub-side part 120 b connects the fourth sub-side part 120 d with the first sub-side part 120 a.

The first sub-side part 120 a, the second sub-side part 120 b, the third sub-side part 120 c, and the fourth sub-side part 120 d each may be substantially shaped as a triangle or as a trapezoid the top of which is shorter than the bottom thereof, as shown in FIG. 1.

The first connecting sub-side part 120 e, the second connecting sub-side part 120 f, the third connecting sub-side part 120 g, and the fourth connecting sub-side part 120 h each may be shaped substantially as an inverted triangle.

As the bottom part 110 and the side part 120 are configured in a manner as described above, the disposable paper container 100 may form a space C for accommodating and storing an object, such as food.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view illustrating a disposable paper container 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, the disposable paper container 100 includes a bottom part 110 and a side part 120.

The side part 120 may be folded along dashed lines to stand in an inclined or upright position on the bottom part 110, forming a space C.

A process for forming a disposable paper container is described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10.

FIGS. 3 to 10 are views illustrating a process for forming a disposable paper container as shown in FIG. 1, using a piece of paper cut into a shape as shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, to form the first sub-side part 120 a, the first connecting sub-side part 120 e, and the fourth connecting sub-side part 120 h, a piece of paper cut into a shape as shown in FIG. 2 is prepared as a material for forming a disposable paper container. The piece of paper is folded along a dashed line a of FIG. 2 in a direction denoted with an arrow of FIG. 3, and two opposite corners of the piece of paper are then folded along dashed lines b in directions denoted with arrows as shown in FIG. 4.

Thereafter, the folded part of the piece of paper is folded along a dashed line c in a direction denoted with an arrow as shown in FIG. 5.

To form the third sub-side part 120 c, the second connecting sub-side part 120 f, and the third connecting sub-side part 120 _(g,) an end part of the piece of paper is folded along a dashed line d as shown in FIG. 6, resulting in the piece of paper being shaped as shown in FIG. 7.

Next, two opposite corners of the piece of paper are folded along dashed lines e in directions denoted with arrows as shown in FIG. 8.

Then, a part of the piece of paper, which abuts the two folded corners, is folded along a dashed line f in a direction denoted with an arrow as shown in FIG. 9, leaving the piece of paper in the shape as shown in FIG. 10.

Two opposite portions g of the piece of paper are then pulled and opened away from each other as denoted with arrows of FIG. 10, forming a disposable paper container as shown in FIG. 1.

In other words, two opposite parts of the piece of paper, with the bottom part 110 positioned therebetween, each are folded in a manner as described above, and there are then pulled to open in opposite directions thereof, so that one of the two opposite parts may form the first sub-side part 120 a, the first connecting sub-side part 120 e and the fourth connecting sub-side part 120 h, which stand erect from the bottom part 110, and the other may form the third sub-side part 120 c, the second connecting sub-side part 120 f, and the third connecting sub-side part 120 g, which stand erect from the bottom part 110, thereby forming the second sub-side part 120 b and the fourth sub-side part 120 d which stand erect.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a disposable paper container 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 11, the disposable paper container 200 includes a bottom part 210, a side part 220, and flaps 230.

The side part 220 may extend from the bottom part 210 and stands erect.

The flaps 230 may extend from the side part 220 in a horizontal direction, e.g., substantially parallel with the bottom part 210. As configured so, the disposable paper container 200 may form a space C for accommodating or storing an object.

The flaps 230 may spread in opposite directions of each other as shown in FIG. 11.

The side part 220 may include a first sub-side part 220 a, a second sub-side part 220 b, a third sub-side part 220 c, and a fourth sub-side part 220 d. The first sub-side part 220 a may face the third sub-side part 220 c, and the second sub-side part 220 b may face the fourth sub-side part 220 d.

The side part 220 may further include a first connecting sub-side part 220 e, a second connecting sub-side part 220 f, a third connecting sub-side part 220 g, and a fourth connecting sub-side part 220 h that connect together the first sub-side part 220 a, the second sub-side part 220 b, the third sub-side part 220 c, and the fourth sub-side part 220 d.

The first connecting sub-side part 220 e may connect the first sub-side part 220 a with the second sub-side part 220 b, the second connecting sub-side part 220 f may connect the second sub-side part 220 b with the third sub-side part 220 c, the third connecting sub-side part 220 g may connect the third sub-side part 220 c with the fourth sub-side part 220 d, and the fourth connecting sub-side part 220 h may connect the fourth sub-side part 220 d with the first sub-side part 220 a.

The first sub-side part 220 a, the second sub-side part 220 b, the third sub-side part 220 c, and the fourth sub-side part 220 d each may include a broad surface extending from the bottom part 210. The first sub-side part 220 a, the second sub-side part 220 b, the third sub-side part 220 c, and the fourth sub-side part 220 d each may be shaped substantially as a trapezoid the top of which is shorter than the bottom thereof, and the first connecting sub-side part 220 e, the second connecting sub-side part 220 f, the third connecting sub-side part 220 g, and the fourth connecting sub-side part 220 h each may be shaped substantially as an inverted triangle.

FIG. 12 is an exploded, perspective view illustrating a disposable paper container 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12, the disposable paper container 200 includes a bottom part 210 and a side part 220.

The side part 220 is folded along dashed lines to be erected extending from the bottom part 210, forming a space C.

A process for forming the disposable paper container 200 is described below with reference to FIGS. 13 to 20.

FIGS. 13 to 20 are views illustrating a process for forming a disposable paper container as shown in FIG. 11, using a piece of paper cut into a shape as shown in FIG. 12, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Prepared is a piece of paper cut into a shape as shown in FIG. 12.

To form the first sub-side part 220 a, the first connecting sub-side part 220 e, and the fourth connecting sub-side part 220 h, the piece of paper is folded along a dashed line a′ in a direction as denoted with an arrow as shown in FIG. 13.

Then, two opposite corners of the piece of paper are folded along dashed lines b′ in directions as denoted with arrows as shown in FIG. 14.

The folded part of the piece of paper is folded along a dashed line c′ in a direction as denoted with an arrow as shown in FIG. 15.

To then form the third sub-side part 220 c, the second connecting sub-side part 220 f, and the third connecting sub-side part 220 g, the piece of paper is folded along a dashed line d′ in a direction as denoted with an arrow of FIG. 17, resulting in the piece of paper being in a shape as shown in FIG. 17.

Two opposite corners of the piece of paper are folded along dashed lines e′ it directions as denoted with arrows of FIG. 18.

The folded part of the piece of paper is folded along a dashed line f′ in a direction as denoted with an arrow of FIG. 19.

Then, the two opposite folded parts g′ of the piece of paper are pulled and open in directions away from each other, forming a disposable paper container as shown in FIG. 11.

As described above, the first sub-side part 220 a and the third sub-side part 220 c to which the flaps 230 are not attached are folded in such a manner as described above and are then spread out to be erected, thereby allowing the second sub-side part 220 b and the fourth sub-side part 220 d to be erected as well. Resultantly, an internal space C is also formed.

In other words, two opposite parts of the piece of paper, which are positioned at two opposite edges of the bottom part 210, are folded towards each other with respect to the bottom part 210, two opposite corners of each of the folded parts are folded towards the bottom part 210, the two folded parts are then folded away from the bottom part 210 to cover the folded corners, and the resultant folded parts are then pulled in directions away from each other, thereby allowing the side part 220 to erect.

The flaps 230 of the disposable paper container 200 may be used as handles allowing for easier or more comfortable use of the disposable paper container 200.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the disposable paper container 100 or the disposable paper container 200 may be formed in various sizes or dimensions to fit their uses and allow for convenient use in, e.g., various events required to feed a good number of people.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, disposable paper containers may remain in an unfolded, stretched-out position while they are not in use, allowing for easier storage in a reduced volume, and upon use, they may be folded in a way described above to shape a container.

While the inventive concept has been shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable paper container, comprising: a bottom part; and a side part erectly extending from the bottom part, and together with the bottom part, forming a space for accommodating or storing an object, the side part including a first sub-side part, a second sub-side part, a third sub-side part facing the first sub-side part, a fourth sub-side part facing the second sub-side part, a first connecting sub-side part connecting the first sub-side part with the second sub-side part, a second connecting sub-side part connecting the second sub-side part with the third sub-side part, a third connecting sub-side part connecting the third sub-side part with the fourth sub-side part, and a fourth connecting sub-side part connecting the fourth sub-side part with the first sub-side part, wherein the bottom part and the side part are formed of a piece of paper, and wherein two opposite parts of the piece of paper extending from the bottom part are folded and then unfolded away from each other to form the side part.
 2. The disposable paper container of claim 1, further comprising flaps extending from the side part in a direction substantially parallel with the bottom part.
 3. The disposable paper container of claim 2, wherein the flaps, respectively, are formed at the two opposite parts in a direction substantially perpendicular to the two opposite parts.
 4. The disposable paper container of claim 1, wherein the two opposite parts of the piece of paper are folded towards each other with respect to the bottom part, two opposite corners of each of the folded, two opposite parts are folded towards the bottom part, the two folded parts are then folded away from the bottom part to cover the folded corners, and the folded parts are then pulled in directions away from each other, thereby allowing the side part to erect. 